I have been wanting to extend my kitchen cabinets to the ceiling for quite some time now. With a ceiling height of 8 feet in our kitchen, we don’t exactly have high ceilings. But that dead space above our wall cabinets has bugged me in the recent years.
Open shelving above kitchen cabinetry, is just not a look you see anymore in modern kitchen styles today. And I was ready to change this in my new kitchen design.
During my recent kitchen makeover, I contemplated tearing out my upper existing cabinets for about a split second and then wisely chose not to. I knew my kids would not appreciate my organization method of beautifully displaying our dinnerware for all to see.
Flashes of plates, bowls and cups (and yes, I mean plastic cups-they would not think twice about putting those on the shelves) randomly scattered across the open shelves, stopped me in my tracks.
I’m thankful I didn’t just start ripping out my cabinet boxes without thinking this through for a second. But instead went with my desire for quite some time now…extending my kitchen cabinets to the ceiling. I
It’s amazing how this simple DIY project completely changed the look of the space. Our builder grade cabinets went from early 2000’s to modern day. And it wasn’t hard to do at all! The end result is exactly what I was going for!
How to Extend Kitchen Cabinets to the Ceiling
First, let’s take a quick look at where we started.
Back in the day, I had decorative items on top of these cabinets. Not sure why that was ever a thing, to draw the eye up to the ceiling like that. For a while now, I’ve kept these upper shelves bare…much better. But I couldn’t wait to close in the space completely and give it a seamless look.
Ready to get rid of that awkward gap above the top of your upper cabinets? Here’s how I did it…
Materials Needed for Kitchen Cabinets to the Ceiling:
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- 3/4″- 4’x8′ sanded plywood (Amount needed is dependent on the space.)
- 2x4x8 pine boards
- 1x2x8 pine boards
- 2 1/2″ wood screws
- 1″ finishing wood screws
- Caulk
- Sanding block (400-grit)
- Primer
- Paint
- Polyurethane
Tools Needed for Kitchen Cabinets to the Ceiling:
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Step One: Remove moulding
The first step is to remove all of the crown molding at the top of your cabinets.
To remove the moulding, cut the seam where the moulding meets the cabinet, with an exact-o knife. Gently, with a hammer, wedge a crow bar or large screwdriver in between the cabinet and the moulding. Shimmy the moulding away from the cabinets, being careful not to damage the cabinets.
Once all of the moulding is removed from the tops of the cabinets, you’re ready for the next step.
Step Two: Add 2×4 base
Line the outer edge of the tops of your cabinets with 2×4’s. Attach to the cabinet tops, using 2 1/2″ wood screws. This will provide a support to nail the plywood into.
Step Three: Add 2×4 to ceiling
Determine where your ceiling boards are going to go…
With a level, go straight up from the outside edge of the 2×4 base and mark where the level hits the ceiling. Behind this line is where you will screw your 2×4 piece of wood into the ceiling, using 2 1/2″ wood screws.
Essentially, you want the ceiling 2×4’s to be directly above and lined up with the base 2×4’s.
Step Four: Attach plywood for kitchen cabinets to the ceiling
Using your table saw (or circular saw), cut your plywood to fit. Attach plywood to the 2×4’s using 2 1/2″ wood screws. Plywood will sit on top of the cabinets and in front of the 2×4’s.
Attach plywood all the way around to extend kitchen cabinets to the ceiling. At this stage, your kitchen space is taking on a whole new look. Are you loving that stacked cabinet look?
Note: You’ll probably notice gaps where one plywood board meets another plywood board. Don’t panic. You’ll be covering these spaces up with trim pieces.
No need to worry about the unsightly edges of our plywood. We’ll be covering those up with trim…
Step Five: Wrap with trim
Once all of your plywood is attached, you’re ready to add the trim. Cut 1×2’s to fit and trim out the new upper wall cabinetry. Attach by drilling in 1″ finishing wood screws or by using a nail gun.
If you still have gaps, that’s ok. We’ll be going back in and filling all of our nail holes with wood filler and our gaps with caulk.
When finished it will look similar to this…
Step Six: Ready for the finish work
At this point, I removed all of my old cabinet doors to add new shaker doors. (Here’s a post all about the new doors I installed).
After removing the doors, I filled in all of the nail holes along the taller cabinets area. I then caulked along all of the edges, to make everything seamless.
I was sure to fill in any open gaps with caulking too. Once the nail filler was dry, I sanded and then primed the entire top cabinets area with 2 coats of Kilz 2 All Purpose Primer.
Then came the best part! Choosing the paint colors. I chose this Gallery White cabinet paint color from Behr. Great for high-traffic areas.
I love how easy it is to clean and how hard it makes the surface. Perfect for all of the abuse a kitchen goes through…
Even without the cabinet doors put back on, I am loving this new custom look…
This simple DIY of extending our kitchen cabinets to the ceiling has made our kitchen feel bigger and more modern. It makes the ceilings feel higher and the room feel more open.
This process was much easier and far less expensive than adding all new custom made tall kitchen cabinets.
Want to make a small kitchen not feel so small? Eliminating that extra space above your current cabinets is a great way to achieve that…
People will be asking, where did you get your new custom cabinets? They’ll be amazed when you tell them, you built them yourself.
I hope you found this to be a great tutorial and are ready to tackle this easy weekend project on your own.
Be sure to check back next week to see how I transformed those ugly kitchen countertops.
Amazing what paint can do…
Benefits of Extending Cabinets to the Ceiling
One of the biggest advantages of extending your kitchen cabinets to the ceiling is the extra storage space it creates. If you’re like a lot of people, finding room for all the kitchen essentials can feel like a constant challenge.
By extending your cabinets, you’re maximizing every inch of vertical space, which is an easy way to add valuable additional space without a major kitchen overhaul.
Although I didn’t add extra storage space to mine, if I had it to do over again, I definitely would. Those top cabinets are perfect for things you don’t use every day, like seasonal cookware or bulk ingredients. Instead of leaving that space as a dust collector, transforming it into functional cabinet space can help keep your kitchen organized and clutter-free.
For those working with lower ceilings, like in my 8-foot kitchen, this update also makes the room feel taller and more streamlined. And if you do add those upper cabinets, you’ll be gaining all that extra storage space you never knew you needed!
FAQ’s” Extend Cabinets to Ceiling DIY
How do I measure the space between my cabinets and the ceiling correctly?
To measure the space between your existing cabinets and the ceiling accurately, start by using a tape measure to determine the height from the top of your cabinets to the ceiling.
Make sure to measure at multiple points along the length of your cabinets, as ceilings can sometimes be uneven. This ensures you’ll get a precise measurement for cutting your materials. It’s a good idea to add about 1/8″ to your measurements to allow for any slight variations and to ensure a snug fit when attaching the new panels.
What should I do if my ceiling is uneven?
If your ceiling isn’t perfectly level, don’t worry—this is a common issue in many homes. One easy solution is to add extra trim or molding at the top of your cabinets to hide any gaps or imperfections.
This allows you to achieve a clean, seamless look without having to deal with the frustration of an uneven ceiling. Simply install the trim along the top of the new cabinet extension, and it will mask any uneven areas, making your project look polished and professional.
What are some cabinet door options to refresh the look of my kitchen?
Updating the front of the cabinets is a simple way to give your kitchen a fresh, modern look. Adding new cabinets doesn’t have to be the only option—just changing out the doors to your builder-grade cabinets can completely transform the space.
For example, shaker-style doors offer a classic, timeless look that works well in almost any kitchen. If you’re going for a more open feel, you can even opt for glass doors to display dishware or decorative items.
Source: WINN Design+Build
When choosing doors, be sure to consider the style of your kitchen. Shaker doors are great for a clean, modern design, while glass doors add a touch of elegance.
If you want a seamless finish, matching the doors with your face frame will create a cohesive look. Whether you prefer to paint the doors for a pop of color or go for natural wood tones, updating your cabinet doors is a cost-effective way to get the look of new cabinets without the hefty price tag.
As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. Drop your questions and comments below. I promise to get back to you soon.
Designer Tip: When It Might Be Time to Bring in Help
If you’re working on your home and things still don’t feel quite right, you’re not alone. Many of our clients start exactly where you are now. They’ve gathered ideas, saved inspiration photos, and maybe even purchased a few pieces, but the space still doesn’t feel cohesive. That’s often the moment when having a designer can make all the difference. We help homeowners create a clear plan so every decision works together. From layout and furniture placement to finishes and lighting, the goal is a space that feels thoughtful, comfortable, and complete.
If you’d like a little guidance with your space, you can learn more about our interior design services below.
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Hi Great Job on the kitchen! What is the height of the ceiling in the kitchen?
Hi Lisa,
Thank you! Our ceiling in the kitchen is 8ft.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
~Nicole